Intake assemblies for wind-energy conversion systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An intake assembly for a wind-energy conversion system has a substantially vertical converging nozzle, an object extending into the nozzle, and a converging flow passage between the object and the nozzle. For some embodiments, the object may be another nozzle. There may be vanes in one or both nozzles in further embodiments. The object may be configured to move in yet other embodiments.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wind energy conversion and,in particular, the present disclosure relates to intake assemblies forwind-energy conversion systems and methods.

BACKGROUND

Due to the recent energy problems that have arisen, considerableinterest has been given to converting the kinetic energy of wind intoelectrical power, e.g., using wind-power generation systems (e.g., thatare sometimes called wind-energy conversion systems). For example, somewind-energy conversion systems involve wind flowing through a turbinelocated atop a substantially vertical tower so that the turbine rotatesan electrical generator in response to the wind flowing through theturbine. This causes the electrical generator to produce electricalpower.

Such turbines are typically complex machines that may have severalsub-machines that convert the kinetic energy of the wind to electricalpower. That is, these machines may have a large number of moving partsthat are subject to failure and that may require considerablemaintenance, resulting in high maintenance costs.

In particular, the power generation depends on the length of the turbineblades, e.g., the longer each turbine blade, the higher the powergeneration. However, long blades can be costly, take up a large amountof space, and may generate excessive noise and vibration. Longer turbineblades may increase not only the cost of material and installation, butmay also increase the cost of maintenance. As such, some currentwind-energy conversion systems may suffer from low efficiency, highcapital cost, high maintenance costs, and/or unacceptably high noise andvibration.

Turbines with relatively long blades may operate at relatively lowrotational speeds (e.g., typically 20 rpm for wind turbines) and mayrequire gears to increase the rotational speed up to rotational speedsthat are useful for the generator (e.g., typically 1500 rpm for a 1.5 MWgenerator). This may involve high levels of torque and accompanying highgear-mesh forces that can cause the gears to fail, thus meaningconsiderable maintenance to reduce the amount of failures. Because ofthe low speed of the turbine, the various gearbox components are usuallysupported by rolling element bearings. These bearings are subject tosignificant radial loads that can cause the bearings to failprematurely, thus meaning considerable maintenance to reduce the amountof failures.

Some wind-energy conversion systems may include a yaw system for turningthe turbine into the wind. For example, a yaw system may include a motor(e.g., a yaw motor) coupled to a turbine-generator assembly by drive,such as a yaw drive, that may include a gear system. The yaw motoractivates the yaw drive that in turn rotates the turbine-generatorassembly so that the turbine faces into the wind. However, yaw systemsmay be complex and expensive, can fail, and may require considerablemaintenance. Yaw systems may also be difficult to access, in that theyare usually located adjacent to the turbine-generator assembly atop atower.

For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below whichwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, there is a need in the art foralternatives to existing wind-energy conversion systems.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention provides an intake assembly for awind-energy conversion system that has a substantially verticalconverging nozzle, an object extending into the nozzle, and a convergingflow passage between the object and the nozzle. For some embodiments,the object may be another substantially vertical converging nozzle.There may be vanes in one or both nozzles in further embodiments. Theobject may be configured to move in yet other embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of an embodiment of a wind-energyconversion system.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of awind-energy conversion system.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of awind-energy conversion system.

FIG. 4A is a cross-section viewed along line 4A-4A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a cross-section viewed along line 4B-4B in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of awind-energy conversion system.

FIG. 6A is a cross-section viewed along line 6A-6A in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6B is a cross-section viewed along line 6B-6B in FIGS. 5 and 7.

FIG. 7 is a cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of awind-energy conversion system.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section viewed along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wind-energyconversion system.

FIG. 10 is a cut-away perspective view of the wind-energy conversionsystem in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wind-energyconversion system.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the region 1200 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a wind-energyconversion system having a movable object extending into a nozzle.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an object moving bytranslation within a wind-energy conversion system, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an object moving bypivoting within a wind-energy conversion system, according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates the outlets of a plurality of the turbine-intaketowers of an embodiment of a wind-energy conversion system coupledtogether.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, byway of illustration, specific embodiments. In the drawings, likenumerals describe substantially similar components throughout theseveral views. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural and/orelectrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore,not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of a wind-energy conversion system100, e.g., that may be referred to as a wind-energy harvester.Wind-energy conversion system 100 includes a turbine-intake tower 110, aturbine 120 fluidly coupled to turbine-intake tower 110, and anelectrical generator 130, such as a 60 Hz AC generator, coupled (e.g.,mechanically coupled) to turbine 120.

Turbine-intake tower 110 has an inlet 140 and an outlet 142. Wind entersturbine-intake tower 110 through inlet 140, flows through turbine-intaketower 110, and exits turbine-intake tower 110 through outlet 142. Theair exiting though outlet 142 passes over blades 143 of turbine 120, asshown in FIG. 1, causing turbine 120 to rotate. Rotation of turbine 120rotates the generator 130 via a suitable transmission (not shown) thatcouples turbine 120 to generator 130.

Turbine-intake tower 110 includes a converging nozzle 144, such as afunnel, at the top of a support column 150 of turbine-intake tower 110.Support column 150 may be substantially vertical (e.g., vertical) andacts to support nozzle 144 so that an inlet plane 145 of inlet 140 andinlet 140 are at a vertical height above turbine 120, e.g., above thehub of turbine blades 143. The vertical height of inlet 140 may be aboutthe same vertical height as the hub of a turbine of a conventional windturbine system, where the turbine is mounted atop a tower. For example,the vertical height may be about 100 to about 200 feet.

Support column 150 has a base 151 that may directly contact the ground.Alternatively, intake tower 110 may be positioned on a platform floatingon water, for example, for an offshore application, where base 151 maybe adjacent to (e.g., in direct contact with) the platform. Turbine 120and/or generator 130 may be located at or near ground level, e.g., atabout the same vertical level as base 151 and about the same verticallevel as outlet 142, as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, turbine 120and/or generator 130 may be located adjacent to base 151.

Nozzle 144 may be substantially vertical (e.g., vertical). That is, acentral longitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144 may be substantiallyvertical (e.g., vertical). Nozzle 144 may have progressively smallercross-sections (e.g., circular cross-sections) in the vertical downwarddirection, and central longitudinal axis 156 may be the symmetry axis ofeach of those cross-sections.

Central longitudinal axis 156 may be substantially perpendicular (e.g.,perpendicular) to the direction of the wind and to the inlet plane 145.Nozzle 144 may be made of a smooth material in order to reduce lossesdue to surface friction. For some embodiments, inner surface 147 mayhave a contour, e.g., a curvature, as shown in FIG. 1. Nozzle 144 mayhave a substantially conical shape for some embodiments. For otherembodiments, nozzle 144 may have a curved sidewall or sidewalls.

The inlet of nozzle 144 is coincident with (e.g., is the same as) theinlet 140 to turbine-intake tower 110. In other words, the inlet ofnozzle 144 provides the inlet 140 to turbine-intake tower 110. As such,the inlet to nozzle 144 may also be referred to as inlet 140. The inletplane 145 of turbine-intake tower 110 may be coincident (e.g., coplanar)with the inlet plane of nozzle 144. As such, the inlet plane of nozzle144 may also be referred to as inlet plane 145.

Nozzle 144 may open directly to the exterior of turbine-intake tower110. The inlet plane 145 of nozzle 144 may be circular, as shown in FIG.1, so that central longitudinal axis 156 is the central axis (e.g., thesymmetry axis) of the inlet plane 145 of nozzle 144. The inlet plane 145of nozzle 144 may form an interface between the exterior surroundings ofturbine-intake tower 110 and the interior of nozzle 144, and thus theinterior of turbine-intake tower 110. Inlet 140 and inlet plane 145 maybe substantially horizontal (e.g., horizontal).

A flow passage 160 within nozzle 144 converges (e.g., tapers) withincreasing vertical downward distance into turbine-intake tower 110 fromthe top of turbine-intake tower 110, starting at the inlet plane 145 andending at an outlet 165 to nozzle 144. That is, flow passage 160converges (e.g., becomes smaller) with increasing vertical downwarddistance into turbine-intake tower 110 from the top of turbine-intaketower 110. Outlet 165 also forms an inlet to a substantially vertical(e.g. a vertical) inner duct 170 that may have a substantially uniformcross-section along its length. For example, nozzle 144 is fluidlycoupled to duct 170. For other embodiments, duct 170 may converge (notshown) in the vertical downward direction from nozzle 144 toward thebase 151.

The cross-sectional area (perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis156) of the flow passage 160 within nozzle 144 decreases between theinlet 140 and the outlet 165 of nozzle 144, as shown in FIG. 1. Nozzle144 acts to increase the flow velocity between inlet 140 and outlet 165.Passing the flow through nozzle 144 causes the flow to converge, asshown in FIG. 1, and thus accelerate. In other words, wind enters nozzle144 through inlet 140 and is accelerated from inlet 140 to outlet 165.For embodiments where duct 170 converges, the wind may further convergeand accelerate within duct 170.

Support column 150 may be hollow. Duct 170 may be located within aninterior of support column 150 and may extend from outlet 165 of nozzle144 to an elbow 172 that is coupled to an outlet duct 174 (e.g.,sometimes referred to as a turbine inlet duct) that leads to outlet 142.As such, duct 170 is between and fluidly coupled to nozzle 144 andoutlet duct 174.

Duct 170 may be substantially vertical (e.g., vertical). For example, acentral longitudinal axis 176 of duct 170 may be substantially vertical(e.g., vertical) and may be substantially collinear (e.g., collinear)with the central longitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144, as shown inFIG. 1. In other words, nozzle 144 and duct 170 may be substantiallyvertically (e.g., vertically) aligned.

Flow passage 160 in nozzle 144 and a flow passage 177 in duct 170 may becontiguous and may form a continuous, substantially vertical (e.g.,vertical) flow passage 178 that opens to the exterior of turbine-intaketower 110 at the inlet 140 of nozzle 144. For example, flow passage 178may start at the inlet plane 145 of nozzle 144 and extend substantiallyvertically (e.g., vertically) to outlet duct 174.

Outlet duct 174 may be substantially horizontal. For example, a centrallongitudinal axis 179 of outlet duct 174 may be substantially horizontaland may be substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to thecentral longitudinal axis 176 of duct 170 and substantiallyperpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to the central longitudinal axis 156of nozzle 144, as shown in FIG. 1.

Elbow 172 and outlet duct 174 direct wind from duct 170 onto the blades143 of turbine 120. As such, outlet duct 174 is fluidly coupled toturbine 120 and fluidly couples duct 170 and nozzle 144 to turbine 120.The flow velocity at outlet 142, i.e., at the outlet of turbine-intaketower 110 and of duct 174, may be called the turbine inlet velocity.

Turbine 120 has a shaft 180 that may be substantially horizontal (e.g.,horizontal), i.e., shaft 180 may have a central longitudinal axis 182that is substantially horizontal (e.g., horizontal) and that issubstantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to the central longitudinal axis179 of outlet duct 174. For example, turbine 120 may be referred to as ahorizontal-axis turbine.

The central longitudinal axis 179 of outlet duct 174 and the centrallongitudinal axis 182 of shaft 180 may be substantially collinear (e.g.,collinear). Note that for this embodiment, the wind velocity at outlet142 of turbine-intake tower 110 may be substantially horizontal. Thecentral longitudinal axis 182 of shaft 180 may be substantiallyperpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to the central longitudinal axis 176of duct 170 and to the central longitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144.

Alternatively, for another embodiment, elbow 172 and outlet duct 174 maybe omitted, and a turbine 120 may be located at the exit of duct 170 sothat its shaft 180 is substantially vertical (e.g., vertical). Forexample, the central longitudinal axis 182 of shaft 180 may besubstantially vertical (e.g., vertical) and substantially collinear(e.g., collinear) with the central longitudinal axis 176 of duct 170 andwith the central longitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144. In thisembodiment, turbine 120 may be referred to as a vertical-axis turbine.For example, duct 170 may be directly fluidly coupled to turbine 120.

Note that the wind velocity at the exit of duct 170 is the turbine inletvelocity for the vertical-axis turbine embodiment and that turbine 120receives the wind directly from duct 170. As such, the exit of duct 170is the outlet of turbine-intake tower 110, meaning that the velocity atthe outlet of turbine-intake tower 110 is substantially vertical. For avertical-axis turbine, flow passage 178 opens to the exterior ofturbine-intake tower 110 at the inlet plane 145, and thus inlet 140, ofnozzle 144 (e.g., starts at the inlet plane 145 of nozzle 144) andextends to the vertical-axis turbine.

Elbow 172 may have a radius of curvature that acts to keep flow lossesrelatively low. In addition, the losses in outlet duct 174 may berelatively small. Therefore, the wind velocity at the exit of duct 170and the exit of outlet duct 174 may be substantially the same. The innersurfaces of elbow 172, duct 170, and outlet duct 174 may be made of asmooth material in order to reduce losses due to surface friction.Turbulence suppressors may be implemented to reduce turbulence in elbow172, nozzle 144, duct 170, and outlet duct 174 that may result fromimperfections and anomalies in elbow 172, nozzle 144, duct 170, andoutlet duct 174.

During operation, nozzle 144 receives and accelerates the wind as thewind is flowing substantially vertically (e.g., vertically) downward.Duct 170 receives the accelerated wind from nozzle 144 and directs itsubstantially vertically (e.g., vertically) downward to elbow 172 forembodiments where turbine 120 is a horizontal-axis turbine. Forembodiments where duct 170 converges, duct 170 further accelerates thewind as the wind is flowing therethrough.

Elbow 172 directs the wind to outlet duct 174 by turning the wind bysubstantially 90 degrees. Outlet duct 174 directs the wind to turbine120, e.g., when turbine 120 is a horizontal-axis turbine. For anotherembodiment, e.g., when turbine 120 is a vertical-axis turbine, turbine120 may receive the wind directly from duct 170 while the wind isflowing substantially vertically (e.g., vertically) downward.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of a wind-energy conversion system200 having a turbine-intake tower 210. Common numbering is used in FIGS.1 and 2 to identify components common to FIGS. 1 and 2. The commoncomponents may be as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1.

Wind-energy conversion system 200 may be substantially the same (e.g.,may be the same) as wind-energy conversion system 100, except that vanes230 extend into the interior of nozzle 144 from inner surface 147 ofnozzle 144. For example, vanes 230 may extend substantially radially(e.g., radially) into the interior of nozzle 144 from inner surface 147of nozzle 144. Vanes 230 may also extend axially (e.g., verticallydownward) from inlet 140 (or from a location adjacent to inlet 140) tooutlet 165 of nozzle 144.

Vanes 230 may be distributed around the entire perimeter (e.g., thecircumference) of inner surface 147 to produce (e.g., define) aplurality flow passages 235, where each flow passage 235 is betweensuccessively adjacent vanes 230, as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, there isa plurality of flow passages 235. Vanes 230 may be made of a smoothmaterial in order to reduce losses due to surface friction.

Each flow passage 235 may converge (e.g., taper) with increasingvertical downward distance into nozzle 144 from the top of nozzle 144,starting at inlet 140 and ending at outlet 165 to nozzle 144. That is,each flow passage 235 converges (e.g., becomes smaller) with increasingvertical downward distance into nozzle 144. Each flow passage 235 mayterminate at and open into duct 170.

During operation, each flow passage 235 of nozzle 144 receives andaccelerates the wind. Duct 170 receives the accelerated wind from eachflow passage 235. After the wind is received by duct 170, the wind mayproceed to turbine 120, as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1.

For some embodiments, actuators 286, e.g., piezoelectric actuators, maybe physically coupled to the outer surface of nozzle 144 and/orphysically coupled to one or more of vanes 230, as shown in FIG. 2. Forexample, actuators 286 may be coupled in direct physical contact withthe outer surface of nozzle 144 and/or with the surfaces of vanes 230.Actuators 286 are electrically coupled to a controller 290 for receivingelectrical signals from controller 290.

A wind-speed sensor, such as an anemometer 292, may be located above thetop of turbine-intake tower 210 for sensing the wind speed external tothe turbine-intake tower 210. Anemometer 292 may be electrically coupledto controller 290 for sending electrical signals to controller 290indicative of the sensed wind speed. A wind vane 294 may be locatedabove the top of turbine-intake tower 210 and may be electricallycoupled to controller 290 for sending electrical signals to controller290 indicative of the sensed wind direction.

In response to receiving signals indicative of the wind speed fromanemometer 292, controller 290 may send electrical signals to actuators286. The actuators 286 coupled to nozzle 144 may then adjust the shape(e.g., contour) and/or size of nozzle 144 by exerting forces directly onthe outer surface of nozzle 144 in response to receiving the electricalsignals from controller 290. That is, the shape and/or size of nozzle144 may be adjusted based on the wind speed. For example, actuators 286may adjust a particular diameter of nozzle 144 at a particular verticaldistance from inlet plane 145. By adjusting the size and/or shape ofnozzle 144, actuators 286 can adjust the amount of convergence (e.g.,taper) of nozzle 144.

Controller 290 may store voltage values corresponding to the voltagesthat might be applied to an actuator 286 to set a particular diameter ofnozzle 144 to a certain numerical value. The certain numerical value maycorrespond to a diameter that provides a certain increase in velocityand/or reduced losses for a certain wind velocity for a certain poweroutput.

For example, anemometer 292 might detect a wind speed and send a signalindicative of the wind speed to controller 290. Controller 290 may thendetermine a particular velocity at outlet 142 (e.g., horizontal-axisturbine) or at the outlet of duct 170 (e.g., vertical-axis turbine) toproduce a certain power. Controller 290 may further determine how muchvoltage that might be applied to actuators 286 to adjust the size and/orshape of nozzle 144 in order to produce the particular velocity atoutlet 142 or at the outlet of duct 170 for the detected wind speed. Forexample, controller 290 may instruct actuators 286 to adjust theconvergence of nozzle 144 to produce the particular velocity at outlet142 or at the outlet of duct 170.

Similarly, controller 290 may adjust the size and/or shape of nozzle 144to reduce flow losses based on a detected wind speed. For example,controller 290 may adjust the convergence of nozzle 144 to reduce flowlosses based on a detected wind speed.

The actuators 286 coupled to successively adjacent vanes 230 may adjustthe shape (e.g., contour) and/or size of each flow passage 235 betweenthe successively adjacent vanes 230 by exerting forces directly on thesurfaces of the successively adjacent vanes 230 in response to receivingelectrical signals from controller 290 based on the wind speed. That is,the size and/or shape (e.g., the amount of convergence) of each flowpassage 235 between the successively adjacent vanes 230 may be adjustedbased on the wind speed.

Controller 290 may also store voltage values corresponding to thevoltages that might be applied to the actuators 286 coupled tosuccessively adjacent vanes 230 to set a size and/or shape of the flowpassage 235 between the successively adjacent vanes 230 to provide anincrease in velocity of the wind through the flow passage 235 and/orreduced losses for a certain wind velocity for a certain power output.

For example, anemometer 292 might detect a wind speed and send a signalindicative of the wind speed to controller 290. Controller 290 may thendetermine a particular velocity at outlet 142 or at the outlet of duct170 to produce a certain power. Controller 290 may further determine howmuch voltage might be applied to the actuators 286 coupled tosuccessively adjacent vanes to adjust the size and/or shape (e.g., theamount of convergence) of the flow passage 235 between the successivelyadjacent vanes 230 in order to produce the particular velocity at outlet142 or at the outlet of duct 170 for the detected wind speed. For someembodiments, the actuators 286 coupled to nozzle 144 and vanes 230 maybe adjusted concurrently based on the wind speed.

Note that the actuators 286 discussed heretofore and hereinafter areresponsive to receiving electrical signals from controller 290. Forexample, for some embodiments, the actuators 286 may exert forcesdirectly on surfaces to which they may be directly attached in responseto receiving electrical signals from controller 290.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective view of a wind-energy conversion system300 having a turbine-intake tower 310 with an intake assembly 343located at the top of support column 150, and thus turbine-intake tower310. Common numbering is used in FIGS. 1 and 3 to identify componentscommon to FIGS. 1 and 3. The common components may be as discussed abovein conjunction with FIG. 1.

Intake assembly 343 may include vanes 330 that may extend substantiallyvertically (e.g., vertically) upward from inner surface 147 of nozzle144 of intake assembly 343 to an object, such as a deflector 365, ofintake assembly 343. Lower edges of vanes 330 may be in direct contactwith the inner surface 147 of nozzle 144 and upper edges of vanes 330may be in direct contact with deflector 365. Deflector 365 and vanes 330may be made of a smooth material in order to reduce losses due tosurface friction.

Vanes 330 may be distributed around the entire perimeter (e.g., thecircumference) of inner surface 147 to produce a plurality of convergingflow passages 335, where each flow passage 335 is between successivelyadjacent vanes 330, as shown in FIG. 3. An inlet plane 340 of each flowpassage 335 may be substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to centrallongitudinal axis 156, and thus the inlet plane 340 of each flow passage335 may be substantially vertical (e.g., vertical). Each inlet plane 340corresponds to an inlet 342, meaning each inlet 342 may be substantiallyvertical (e.g., vertical). For some embodiments, each flow passage 335may converge (e.g., become smaller) in a direction from a locationadjacent to an outer edge of nozzle 144 (e.g., from inlet plane 340)toward the interior of nozzle 144.

Inlets 342 are inlets to turbine-intake tower 310, and thus intakeassembly 343. Therefore, for some embodiments, intake assembly 343 has aplurality of substantially vertical (e.g., vertical) discrete inlets 342distributed around the entire perimeter of intake assembly 343 andbetween deflector 365 and nozzle 144. Inlets 342 allow wind to enterintake assembly 343 from substantially any prevailing wind direction,e.g., at substantially any location around the entire perimeter ofintake assembly 343. For example, wind may enter intake assembly 343 atsubstantially 360 degrees (e.g., at 360 degrees) around the perimeter ofintake assembly 343. This avoids the need for turning an inlet of awind-energy conversion system or a turbine of a wind-energy conversionsystem into the wind, e.g., thereby eliminating a yaw system that issometimes used to turn an inlet of a wind-energy conversion system or aturbine of a wind-energy conversion system into the wind.

Intake assembly 343 may include a cover 350 over (e.g., as a portion of)deflector 365. An outer edge 357 of cover 350 may be adjacent to anouter side 360 of each of vanes 330 and thus may be adjacent to theinlet plane 340, and thus the inlet 342, of each flow passage 335. Forsome embodiments, cover 350 may be domed, as shown in FIG. 3.

Deflector 365 may extend downward into the interior of nozzle 144 from alocation vertically above nozzle 144 (e.g., from cover 350), e.g.,deflector 365 may extend past inlet 140 of nozzle 144. For example,deflector 365 may be referred to as being nested within nozzle 144. Forsome embodiments, nozzle 144, deflector 365, and vanes 330 may form theintake assembly 343 of turbine-intake tower 310, e.g., at the top ofsupport column 150, where intake assembly 343 is fluidly coupled to duct170 and thus turbine 120. Note that turbine 120 may be located adjacentto the base 151 of turbine-intake tower 310.

Deflector 365 may converge (e.g., taper) inwardly from a locationadjacent to the outer edge of intake assembly 343 to substantially apoint (e.g., indicated by reference number 367) at central longitudinalaxis 156 of nozzle 144, as shown in FIG. 3. In other words, deflector365 converges (tapers) inwardly with increasing vertical downwarddistance into turbine-intake tower 310 from a location adjacent to thetop of turbine-intake tower 310, and thus intake assembly 343. For someembodiments, deflector 365 may have a concave curvature when viewed frominner surface 147 of nozzle 144.

A converging flow passage 370 may be between deflector 365 and the innersurface 147 of nozzle 144. Each flow passage 335 may open intoconverging flow passage 370, where converging flow passage 370 converges(e.g., becomes smaller) in a direction into intake assembly 343. Notethat for some embodiments, intake assembly 343 is configured to allowwind to enter flow passage 370 from substantially any prevailing winddirection.

For some embodiments, converging flow passage 370 may be curved, asshown in FIG. 3. For example, flow passage 370 may be configured to turna wind-flow toward a vertical downward direction while causing thewind-flow to converge and accelerate. That is, flow passage 370 mayconverge along the curved path.

Deflector 365 may be substantially coaxial with (e.g., coaxial with)nozzle 144. For example, deflector 365 and nozzle 144 may share thesubstantially vertical (e.g., the vertical) central longitudinal axis156, e.g., central longitudinal axis 156 is a central longitudinal axisfor both deflector 365 and nozzle 144. In other words, centrallongitudinal axis 156 is common to deflector 365 and nozzle 144. Thatis, deflector 365 and nozzle 144 may be substantially vertically alignedwith (e.g., vertically aligned with) each other. Deflector 365 andnozzle 144 may be substantially vertically aligned with (e.g.,vertically aligned with) duct 170 for some embodiments.

Flow passage 370 may be an annulus between deflector 365 and innersurface 147 of nozzle 144, as shown in FIG. 4A, a cross-section viewedalong line 4A-4A in FIG. 3. For some embodiments, flow passage 370 mayterminate within nozzle 144 where deflector 365 terminates, i.e., beforeoutlet 165 of nozzle 144 (e.g., at a vertical distance above outlet165), as indicated by reference number 367 in FIG. 3.

Annular flow passage 370 may transition to a flow passage 372 withinnozzle 144, e.g., having a circular cross-section, as shown in FIG. 4B,a cross-section viewed along line 4B-4B in FIG. 3. For example, flowpassage 372 may be a portion of the converging flow passage 160 (FIG. 1)of nozzle 144. Nozzle 144, and thus flow passage 372, may continue toconverge (e.g., taper) from where deflector 365 terminates to outlet 165of nozzle 144. For some embodiments, nozzle 144 may be curved afterdeflector 365 terminates.

During operation, wind is received at the inlet 342 of each flow passage335. As the wind flows through each flow passage 335, it converges andthus accelerates. As the accelerating wind flows through each flowpassage 335, it may be turned by the curvature of the respective flowpassage 335, e.g., toward a vertical downward direction. The acceleratedwind is then received in flow passage 370 from each flow passage 335.For example, the exterior surface of deflector 365 deflects the windinto nozzle 144 so that the wind flows through flow passage 370.

As the wind flows through flow passage 370, it converges and thusaccelerates. As the accelerating wind flows through flow passage 370, itmay be turned further, by the curvature of flow passage 370, toward thevertical downward direction. Note that the converging, accelerating windin flow passage 370 may have a substantially annular cross-section.

The accelerated wind is then received in flow passage 372 from flowpassage 370. The wind flow may transition, from a flow with asubstantially annular cross-section in flow passage 370 to a flow with asubstantially circular cross-section, for example, in flow passage 372,as the wind flow exits flow passage 370 and enters in flow passage 372.As the wind flows through flow passage 372, it converges and thusaccelerates. For some embodiments, as the accelerating wind flowsthrough flow passage 372, it may be turned further, by the curvature offlow passage 372, toward the vertical downward direction.

The wind may be substantially horizontal upstream of an inlet 342 ofintake assembly 343. The wind may be turned, as it flows from an inlet342 to the outlet 165 of nozzle 144, toward the vertical downwarddirection, so that the wind flow is substantially vertical at outlet 165of nozzle 144. Duct 170 receives the accelerated, substantially verticalwind flow, e.g., with a circular cross-section, from flow passage 372.After the wind is received by duct 170, the wind may proceed to turbine120 as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1.

For some embodiments, actuators 286 may be physically coupled to one ormore of vanes 330, as shown in FIG. 3, and may be electrically coupledto controller 290 for receiving electrical signals from controller 290.For example, actuators 286 may be coupled in direct physical contactwith the surfaces of vanes 330. Actuators 286 may also be coupled indirect physical contact with the outer surface of deflector 365 and/orin direct physical contact with the outer surface of nozzle 144, asshown in FIG. 3, and may be electrically coupled to controller 290 forreceiving electrical signals from controller 290. In other words, one ormore actuators may be coupled to at least one of the outer surface ofdeflector 365, the outer surface of nozzle 144, and the surfaces ofvanes 330.

In response to receiving signals indicative of the wind speed fromanemometer 292, controller 290 may send electrical signals to actuators286. The actuators 286 coupled to deflector 365 may then adjust the sizeand/or shape (e.g., the amount of convergence) of deflector 365 byexerting forces directly on the outer surface of deflector 365 inresponse to receiving the electrical signals from controller 290. Thatis, the size and/or shape of deflector 365 may be adjusted based on theprevailing wind speed external to flow passage 370 and nozzle 144.

For example, the size and/or shape of the flow passage 370 betweendeflector 365 and the inner surface 147 of nozzle 144 may be adjusted byadjusting the size and/or shape of deflector 365 using the actuators 286coupled to deflector 365 and/or by adjusting the size and/or shape ofnozzle 144 using the actuators 286 coupled to nozzle 144. In addition,the turning radius (e.g., the radius of curvature) of the flow passage370 may be adjusted by adjusting the actuators 286 coupled to deflector365 and/or nozzle 144. The actuators 286 coupled to deflector 365 mayadjust the size and/or shape of deflector 365 in response to receivingthe electrical signals from controller 290 and/or actuators 286 coupledto nozzle 144 may adjust the size and/or shape of nozzle 144 in responseto receiving the electrical signals from controller 290.

Controller 290 may store voltage values corresponding to the voltagesthat might be applied to the actuators 286 coupled to nozzle 144 and/orto the actuators 286 coupled to deflector 365 to set the size and/orshape of the flow passage 370 that provides a certain increase invelocity and/or reduced losses for a certain wind velocity for a certainpower output. For example, anemometer 292 might detect a wind speed andsend a signal indicative of the wind speed to controller 290. Controller290 may determine how much voltage might be applied to the actuators 286to set the size and/or shape of the flow passage 370 in order to producea particular velocity at outlet 142 or at the outlet of duct 170 for thedetected wind speed.

The actuators 286 coupled to successively adjacent vanes 330 may adjustthe size and/or shape (e.g., the amount of convergence) of a flowpassage 335 between the successively adjacent vanes 330 by exertingforces directly on the surfaces of the successively adjacent vanes 330based on the wind speed. That is, the size and/or shape of each flowpassage 335 between successively adjacent vanes 330 may be adjustedbased on the wind speed. Controller 290 may send electrical signals tothe actuators 286 coupled to vanes 330. The actuators 286 coupled tovanes 330 may then adjust the size and/or shape of each flow passage 335between successively adjacent vanes 330 by exerting forces directly onthe surface of vanes 330 in response to receiving the electrical signalsfrom controller 290.

Controller 290 may also store voltage values corresponding to thevoltages that might be applied to the actuators 286 coupled tosuccessively adjacent vanes 330 to set the size and/or shape of eachflow passage 335 between successively adjacent vanes 330 to provide anincrease in velocity of the wind through each flow passage 335 and/orreduced losses for a certain wind velocity for a certain power output.

For example, anemometer 292 might detect a wind speed and send a signalindicative of the wind speed to controller 290. Controller 290 may thendetermine a particular velocity at outlet 142 or at the outlet of duct170 to produce a certain power. Controller 290 may further determine howmuch voltage that might be applied to the actuators 286 coupled to thesuccessively adjacent vanes 330 to adjust the size and/or shape of eachflow passage 335 between the successively adjacent vanes 330 in order toproduce the particular velocity at outlet 142 or at the outlet of duct170 for the detected wind speed. For some embodiments, the size and/orshape of a flow passage 335 may be adjusted in conjunction with, e.g.,substantially concurrently with, adjusting the size, shape, and/orradius of curvature of flow passage 370.

FIG. 5 is a cut-away perspective view of a wind-energy conversion system500 having a turbine-intake tower 510 with an intake assembly 543located at the top of support column 150 and thus turbine-intake tower510. Common numbering is used in FIGS. 1 and 5 to identify componentscommon to FIGS. 1 and 5. The common components may be as discussed abovein conjunction with FIG. 1.

Intake assembly 543 includes nozzle 144 and a nozzle 544, such as afunnel. For example, nozzle 544 may be said to be nested within nozzle144. Intake assembly 543 is fluidly coupled to duct 170 and thus turbine120. Note that turbine 120 may be adjacent to the base 151 ofturbine-intake tower 510.

Nozzles 144 and 544 may be substantially coaxial (e.g., coaxial), wherecentral longitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144 is also the centrallongitudinal axis of nozzle 544. For example, nozzles 144 and 544 mayshare the substantially vertical (e.g., the vertical) centrallongitudinal axis 156, e.g., central longitudinal axis 156 is a centrallongitudinal axis for both of nozzles 144 and 544. In other words,central longitudinal axis 156 is common to nozzles 144 and 544. As such,nozzles 144 and 544 are substantially vertical (e.g., vertical). Nozzles144 and 544 may be substantially vertically aligned with (e.g.,vertically aligned with) each other and with duct 170.

For some embodiments, nozzle 544 may be substantially the same (e.g.,the same) as nozzle 144. For example, nozzles 144 and 544 may besubstantially conical in shape. For other embodiments, nozzles 144 and544 may have curved sidewalls. Nozzle 544 may be made of a smoothmaterial in order to reduce losses due to surface friction.

Nozzle 544 may include an inlet 540 and an inlet plane 545 that arerespectively a first inlet and a first inlet plane of intake assembly543, where inlet 540 and inlet plane 545 may be substantially horizontal(e.g., horizontal). For some embodiments, inlet plane 145 of nozzle 144and inlet plane 545 of nozzle 544 are substantially parallel (e.g.,parallel) to each other and are substantially perpendicular (e.g.,perpendicular) to central longitudinal axis 156.

Inlet plane 145 and inlet 140 of nozzle 144 may be at a differentvertical level than inlet plane 545 and inlet 540 of nozzle 544. Forexample, inlet plane 545, and thus inlet 540, of nozzle 544 may be at avertical level that is above inlet plane 145, and thus inlet 140, ofnozzle 144. In other words, nozzle 544 may extend from a vertical levelabove nozzle 144 and into nozzle 144.

Supports 550 and 552 may be used to couple nozzle 544 to nozzle 144, asshown in FIG. 5. Supports 550 may extend across an opening 560 around acircumference of intake assembly 543. For example, each of supports 550may be coupled to inner surface 147 of nozzle 144, may extend to anexterior surface 553 of nozzle 544, and may be coupled to exteriorsurface 553. Opening 560 may be between nozzle 544 and nozzle 144.

Nozzle 544 may include a converging flow passage 562 defined by an innersurface 547 of nozzle 544. The flow passage 562 within nozzle 544converges (e.g., tapers) with increasing vertical downward distance intointake assembly 543 from the top of intake assembly 543, starting at theinlet plane 545 and ending at an outlet 564 of nozzle 544 that opensinto the converging flow passage in nozzle 144. In other words, nozzle544 converges (e.g., becomes smaller) with increasing vertical downwarddistance into intake assembly 543 from the top of intake assembly 543.

Exterior surface 553 may act as a deflector configured to deflect windinto nozzle 144 in a manner similar to deflector 365 in FIG. 3. As such,nozzle 544 may be referred to as an object, such as an open deflector,with a converging flow passage 562 therethrough.

Nozzle 544 may open directly to the exterior of turbine-intake tower510. The inlet plane 545 of nozzle 544 may be circular, as shown in FIG.1, so that central longitudinal axis 156 is the central axis (e.g., thesymmetry axis) of the inlet plane 545 of nozzle 544. The inlet plane 545of nozzle 544 may form an interface between the exterior surroundings ofintake assembly 543 and the interior of nozzle 544 and thus the interiorof intake assembly 543. Inlet 540 and inlet plane 545 may besubstantially horizontal (e.g., horizontal) and substantiallyperpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to central longitudinal axis 156.

For some embodiments, opening 560 may form a second inlet to intakeassembly 543. For example, a plane 565 of opening 560 may besubstantially vertical (e.g., vertical) and substantially parallel(e.g., parallel) to central longitudinal axis 156, so that opening 560may form a substantially vertical (e.g., vertical) second inlet tointake assembly 543. The second inlet of intake assembly 543 formed byopening 560 and the first inlet of intake assembly 543, corresponding toinlet 540 of nozzle 544, may be substantially perpendicular (e.g.,perpendicular) to each other. Plane 565 of opening 560 may form a secondinlet plane of intake assembly 543.

The second inlet to intake assembly 543 formed by opening 560 may extendaround the substantially an entire perimeter (e.g., circumference) ofintake assembly 543. As such, both the first and second inlets allowwind to enter intake assembly 543 from substantially any prevailing winddirection. For example, wind may enter intake assembly 543 atsubstantially 360 degrees (e.g., at 360 degrees) around intake assembly543. This avoids the need for turning an inlet of a wind-energyconversion system or a turbine of a wind-energy conversion system intothe wind, e.g., thereby eliminating a need for yaw system.

Nozzle 544 may extend into the interior of nozzle 144. For example,nozzle 544 may extend past inlet 140 of nozzle 144. Opening 560 forms aninlet to a flow passage 570 between and bounded by inner surface 147 ofnozzle 144 and exterior surface 553 of nozzle 544. Flow passage 570 mayextend from opening 560 to a location within nozzle 144 where nozzle 544terminates, e.g., adjacent to outlet 564 of nozzle 544. For example,flow passage 570 and nozzle 544 may terminate before (e.g., verticallyabove) outlet 165 of nozzle 144. Flow passage 570 may converge fromopening 560 to the location within nozzle 144 where nozzle 544terminates. Flow passage 570 may be curved for some embodiments, asshown in FIG. 5.

Flow passage 570 may pass through inlet 140 of nozzle 144. Flow passage570 may become an annulus substantially at inlet 140 of nozzle 144, asshown in FIG. 6A, a cross-section viewed along line 6A-6A in FIG. 5.Annular flow passage 570 may transition, where it terminates withinnozzle 144, to a flow passage 572 within (e.g., of) nozzle 144, e.g.,having a circular cross-section, and extending from outlet 564 of nozzle544 to outlet 165 of nozzle 144, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6B, across-section viewed along line 6B-6B in FIGS. 5 and 7. Flow passage 572is a portion of the flow passage 160 (FIG. 1) of nozzle 144. Flowpassage 572 extends substantially vertically (e.g., vertically) belownozzle 544, e.g., substantially vertically below outlet 564 of nozzle544.

Converging flow passage 562 of nozzle 544 opens into flow passage 572 atits outlet 564. Nozzle 144, and thus flow passage 572, may continue toconverge (e.g., taper) from outlet 564 of nozzle 544 to outlet 165 ofnozzle 144. That is, nozzle 144, and thus flow passage 572, may continueto converge (e.g., become smaller) with increasing vertical downwarddistance into intake assembly 543 from outlet 564 of nozzle 544 tooutlet 165 of nozzle 144.

During operation, wind is received at the inlet 540 to nozzle 544 and atthe opening (e.g., inlet) 560 to flow passage 570. As the wind flowsfrom inlet 540 through flow passage 562 of nozzle 544, it converges andthus accelerates. The accelerated wind exits flow passage 562 at theoutlet 564 of nozzle 544 and is received in flow passage 572. The windflowing through flow passage 562 of nozzle 544 may have a decreasingsubstantially circular cross-section until it exits at the outlet 564.

As the wind flows from inlet 560 through the flow passage 570 betweenexterior surface 553 of nozzle 544 and interior surface 147 of nozzle144, it converges and thus accelerates. For example, the exteriorsurface 553 of nozzle 544 may deflect the wind into nozzle 144 so thatthe wind flows through flow passage 570. The accelerated wind exits flowpassage 570 where nozzle 544 terminates within nozzle 144, e.g.,adjacent to outlet 564 of nozzle 544, and is received in flow passage572. Note that the wind may flow substantially concurrently through(e.g., concurrently through) flow passages 562 and 570. For example, thewind is accelerated in flow passage 562 while the wind is accelerated inflow passage 570.

As the accelerating wind flows through flow passage 570, it may beturned, by the curvature of flow passage 570, toward a vertical downwarddirection. The wind flowing through flow passage 570 may have adecreasing substantially annular cross-section from inlet 140 of nozzle144 until it exits flow passage 570.

The wind transitions, from a flow with a substantially annularcross-section in flow passage 570 to a flow with a substantiallycircular cross-section, for example, in flow passage 572, as the windexits flow passage 570 and enters flow passage 572. Note that the windflowing in flow passage 562 from inlet 544 to flow passage 572 and thewind flowing in flow passage 570 from inlet 560 to flow passage 572 maybe substantially coaxial (e.g., coaxial).

The accelerated wind from flow passage 570, e.g., with the substantiallyannular cross-section, merges with the accelerated wind, e.g., with thesubstantially circular cross-section, from flow passage 562 in flowpassage 572 to produce a substantially single wind flow (e.g., a singlewind flow) with a substantially circular cross-section, for example, asshown in FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 6B. As the wind flows throughflow passage 572, it converges and thus accelerates. For someembodiments, the accelerating wind flowing through flow passage 572 maybe substantially vertically downward.

Duct 170 receives the accelerated, substantially vertical wind flow,e.g., with a substantially circular cross-section, from flow passage572. After the wind flow is received by duct 170, the wind may proceedto turbine 120, as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1.

For some embodiments, actuators 286 may be coupled in direct physicalcontact with the outer surface 553 of nozzle 544, as shown in FIG. 5,and may be electrically coupled to controller 290 for receivingelectrical signals from controller 290. In response to receiving signalsindicative of the wind speed from anemometer 292, controller 290 maysend electrical signals to actuators 286. The actuators 286 coupled tonozzle 544 may then adjust the size and/or shape (e.g., the amount ofconvergence), e.g., of both the interior and exterior of nozzle 544, byexerting forces directly on the outer surface 553 of nozzle 544 inresponse to the electrical signals from controller 290. That is, thesize and/or shape may be adjusted based on the wind speed.

For example, the size and/or shape of the flow passage 570 between theouter surface 553 of nozzle 544 and the inner surface 147 of nozzle 144may be adjusted by adjusting the size and/or shape of nozzle 544 usingthe actuators 286 coupled to nozzle 544 and/or by adjusting the sizeand/or shape (e.g., the amount of convergence) of nozzle 144 using theactuators 286 coupled to nozzle 144. That is, the actuators 286 coupledto nozzle 544 adjust the size and/or shape of nozzle 544 in response toreceiving electrical signals from controller 290 and/or the actuators286 coupled to nozzle 144 adjust the size and/or shape of nozzle 144 inresponse to receiving electrical signals from controller 290. Forexample, the size and/or shape of nozzle 144 and/or nozzle 544 may beadjusted based on wind speed.

In addition, the turning radius (e.g., the radius of curvature) of theflow passage 570 may be adjusted by adjusting the actuators 286 coupledto nozzle 544 and/or nozzle 144. The actuators 286 coupled to nozzle 544may also be used to adjust the size and/or shape (e.g., the amount ofconvergence) of the flow passage 562 in nozzle 544. In other words, thesize and/or shape of flow passage 562 may be adjusted by the actuators286 coupled to nozzle 544 in response to these actuators receivingelectrical signals from controller 290 and/or the size and/or shape offlow passage 570 may be adjusted by the actuators 286 coupled to nozzle144 and/or nozzle 544 in response to these actuators receivingelectrical signals from controller 290.

Controller 290 may store voltage values corresponding to the voltagesthat might be applied to the actuators 286 coupled to nozzle 144 and/orto the actuators 286 coupled to nozzle 544 to set the size and/or shape(e.g., the amount of convergence) of the flow passage 570 and/or thesize and/or shape (e.g., the amount of convergence) of flow passage 562that provides a certain increase in velocity and/or reduced losses for acertain wind velocity for a certain power output.

For example, anemometer 292 might detect a wind speed and send a signalindicative of the wind speed to controller 290. Controller 290 maydetermine how much voltage might be applied to the actuators 286 to setthe size and/or shape of the flow passage 570 and/or flow passage 562 inorder to produce a particular velocity at outlet 142 or at the outlet ofduct 170 for the detected wind speed.

FIG. 7 is a cut-away perspective view of a wind-energy conversion system700 having a turbine-intake tower 710 with an intake assembly 743located at the top of support column 150, and thus turbine-intake tower710. Common numbering is used in FIGS. 1, 5, and 7 to identifycomponents common to FIGS. 1, 5, and 7. The common components may be asdiscussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 5.

Wind-energy conversion system 700 may be substantially the same asenergy conversion system 500 in FIG. 5, except that vanes 730 may extendinto the interior of nozzle 544 from inner surface 547 of nozzle 544,and/or vanes 732 may extend into the interior of nozzle 144 from innersurface 147 of nozzle 144, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, across-section viewed along line 8-8 in FIG. 7, where line 8-8 iscoincident with the inlet 140 of nozzle 144. For example, vanes 730 mayextend substantially radially (e.g., radially) into the interior ofnozzle 544 from inner surface 547 of nozzle 544, and/or vanes 732 mayextend substantially radially (e.g., radially) into the interior ofnozzle 144 from inner surface 147 of nozzle 144. Each of vanes 732 mayhave substantially the same shape as the cross-section of flow passage570 in FIG. 5, as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 5 and 7.

For some embodiments, nozzle 144 with vanes 732 and nozzle 544 withvanes 730 may form intake assembly 743. For example, intake assembly 743may include vanes 730 extending into nozzle 544 and/or vanes 732extending into nozzle 144.

Vanes 730 may be distributed around the perimeter (e.g., circumference)of inner surface 547 to produce (e.g., define) a plurality flow passages735, where each flow passage 735 is between successively adjacent vanes730, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. For example, vanes 730 may divide flowpassage 562 (FIG. 5) of nozzle 544 into a plurality of flow passages 735so that there is a plurality of flow passages 735 within nozzle 544.Flow passages 735 may be spaced around the entire perimeter of innersurface 547 nozzle 544.

Each flow passage 735 may converge (e.g., taper) in the verticallydownward direction, e.g., the downward direction along the direction ofcentral longitudinal axis 156, away from the top of nozzle 544. Forexample, the angular (e.g., circumferential) distance a (FIG. 8) betweensuccessively adjacent vanes 730 decreases with increasing verticaldownward distance into nozzle 544 from the top of nozzle 544.

Vanes 732 may be distributed around the entire perimeter (e.g.,circumference) of inner surface 147 of nozzle 144 to produce (e.g.,define) a plurality individual flow passages 737, where each flowpassage 737 is between successively adjacent vanes 732, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. Vanes 732 may divide flow passage 570 in FIG. 5 into aplurality of individual flow passages 737. Therefore, there is aplurality of flow passages 737 within nozzle 144. Flow passages 737 maybe spaced around the entire perimeter of inner surface 147 nozzle 144.

Each flow passage 737 may converge with increasing distance into thatflow passage 737 from an inlet 739, and thus an inlet plane 741, of thatflow passage 737. For example, the angular distance a betweensuccessively adjacent vanes 732 may decrease with increasing downwardvertical distance into nozzle 144 from the top of nozzle 144. The radialdistance R (FIG. 8) of each flow passage 737 between exterior surface553 of nozzle 544 and interior surface 147 of nozzle 144 may decreasewith increasing distance into that flow passage from the inlet 739 ofthat flow passage 737, e.g., with increasing downward vertical distanceinto nozzle 144 from the inlet 140 of nozzle 144.

Inlets 739 of flow passages 737 may be substantially vertical (e.g.,vertical). Vanes 732 may divide opening 560 and plane 565 of opening 560in FIG. 5 into a plurality of individual inlets 739 and correspondinginlet planes 741, where each inlet 739 and each inlet plane 741 arerespectively an inlet and an inlet plane of a respective one ofindividual flow passages 737. Each vane 732 may be viewed as extendingacross the opening 560 around the circumference of intake assembly 543in FIG. 5. Vanes 732 divide opening 560 of intake assembly 543 into theindividual inlets 739 of intake assembly 743.

Inlets 739 are inlets to the intake assembly 743, meaning that for someembodiments, intake assembly 743 has a plurality of substantiallyvertical (e.g., vertical) discrete inlets 739 distributed around theentire perimeter (e.g., circumference) of intake assembly 743. The inlet540 of nozzle 544 (shown in FIG. 5) may be another inlet to intakeassembly 743. Inlet 540 may be respectively divided into inlets 742 tothe flow passages 735 by vanes 730. Inlets 742 and inlets 739 allow windto enter intake assembly 743 from substantially any prevailing winddirection. For example, wind may enter intake assembly 743 atsubstantially 360 degrees (e.g., at 360 degrees) around intake assembly743. This avoids the need for turning an inlet of a wind-energyconversion system or a turbine of a wind-energy conversion system intothe wind, e.g., thereby eliminating a need for yaw system.

Each flow passage 737 may pass through inlet 140 of nozzle 144. At inlet140 of nozzle 144, each flow passage 737 may become an angular segmentof an annulus between exterior surface 553 of nozzle 544 and innersurface 147 of nozzle 144, as shown in FIG. 8. Each flow passage 737 mayterminate within nozzle 144, e.g., adjacent to where nozzle 544terminates and adjacent to where the outlet 564 of nozzle 544 islocated. Each flow passage 737 may transition, where it terminates,within nozzle 144, to the flow passage 572, e.g., having a circularcross-section, within nozzle 144 and extending from outlet 564 of nozzle544 to outlet 165 of nozzle 144, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 6B.

Vanes 730 may terminate within nozzle 544 before, e.g., at a verticaldistance above, outlet 564 of nozzle 544, and converging flow passage562 of nozzle 544 may extend from where vanes 730 terminate to outlet564 of nozzle 544. Flow passage 562 of nozzle 544 opens into flowpassage 572 of nozzle 144 at outlet 564 of nozzle 544. Nozzle 144, andthus flow passage 572, may continue to converge (e.g., taper) fromoutlet 564 of nozzle 544 to outlet 165 of nozzle 144.

During operation, each flow passage 735 of nozzle 544 receives andaccelerates the wind. For embodiments where vanes 730 terminate beforeoutlet 564 of nozzle 544, the wind exits each flow passage 735. Theflows exiting flow passages 735 combine with each other to produce asubstantially single flow that continues to converge and accelerate fromwhere vanes 730 terminate to outlet 564 through converging flow passage562 of nozzle 544. The accelerated wind exits flow passage 562 at theoutlet 564 of nozzle 544 and is received in flow passage 572 of nozzle144.

Wind is also received at the inlet 739 of each flow passage 737. Forexample, the exterior surface 553 of nozzle 544 may deflect the windinto each flow passage 737 so that the wind flows through each flowpassage 737. As the wind flows from an inlet 739 through a respectiveflow passage 737, it converges and thus accelerates. The acceleratedwind exits each flow passage 737 where nozzle 544 terminates withinnozzle 144, e.g., adjacent to outlet 564 of nozzle 544, and is receivedin flow passage 572.

As the accelerating wind flows through each flow passage 737, it may beturned by the curvature of the respective flow passage 737, e.g., towardthe vertical downward direction. The wind flowing in each flow passage737 may have a cross-section that is substantially an angular segment ofan annulus in the region between inlet 140 of nozzle 144 and where thewind exits the respective flow passage 737 adjacent to the outlet 564 ofnozzle 544. After exiting flow passages 737 adjacent to the outlet 564of nozzle 544, the wind from each flow passage 737 is received in flowpassage 572 of nozzle 144 and combines (e.g., merges) in flow passage572 with the wind that is received in flow passage 572 from outlet 564of nozzle 544, producing a substantially single flow of wind in flowpassage 572 from the combined flows.

As the substantially single flow of wind flows through flow passage 572,it converges and thus accelerates. For some embodiments, theaccelerating wind flowing through flow passage 572 may be substantiallyvertically downward. Duct 170 receives the accelerated, substantiallyvertical wind flow, e.g., with a substantially circular cross-section,from flow passage 572. After the wind is received by duct 170, the windmay proceed to turbine 120, as described above in conjunction with FIG.1.

For some embodiments, actuators 286 may be coupled to, e.g., in directphysical contact with, the surfaces of one or more of vanes 730 and/orthe surfaces of one or more of vanes 732, as shown in FIG. 7, and may beelectrically coupled to controller 290 for receiving electrical signalsfrom controller 290. In response to receiving signals indicative of thewind speed from anemometer 292, controller 290 may send electricalsignals to the actuators 286 coupled to one or more of vanes 730, to theactuators 286 coupled to one or more vanes 732, to the actuators 286coupled to nozzle 144, and/or to the actuators 286 coupled to nozzle544. In other words, one or more actuators 286 are coupled to at leastone of nozzle 144, nozzle 544, and the vanes extending into an interiorof at least one of nozzle 144 and nozzle 544.

As indicated above in conjunction with FIG. 5, the actuators 286 coupledto nozzle 544 may adjust the size and/or shape, e.g., of both theinterior and exterior of nozzle 544 by exerting forces directly on theouter surface 553 of nozzle 544 in response to receiving electricalsignals from controller 290. That is, the size and/or shape of nozzle544 may be adjusted based on the wind speed.

The size and/or shape (e.g., the amount of convergence) of each flowpassage 735 between successively adjacent vanes 730 may be adjustedusing the actuators 286 coupled to successively adjacent vanes 730 inresponse to these actuators 286 receiving electrical signals fromcontroller 290. The size and/or shape (e.g., the amount of convergence)of each flow passage 737 between successively adjacent vanes 732 may beadjusted using the actuators 286 coupled to successively adjacent vanes732 in response to these actuators 286 receiving electrical signals fromcontroller 290.

For some embodiments, the size and/or shape of each flow passage 735between successively adjacent vanes 730 may be adjusted using theactuators 286 coupled to successively adjacent vanes 730 in conjunctionwith adjusting the size and/or shape of nozzles 144 and/or nozzles 544.The size and/or shape of each flow passage 737 between successivelyadjacent vanes 732 may be adjusted using the actuators 286 coupled tosuccessively adjacent vanes 732 in conjunction with adjusting the sizeand/or shape of nozzle 144, the size and/or shape of nozzle 544, and/orthe size and/or shape of each flow passage 735.

Controller 290 may store voltage values corresponding to the voltagesthat might be applied to the actuators 286 to set the size and/or shapeof each of the flow passages 735, the size and/or shape of each of theflow passages 737, the size and/or shape of nozzle 144, and/or the sizeand/or shape of nozzle 544 that provides a certain increase in velocityand/or reduced losses for a certain wind velocity for a certain poweroutput. For example, anemometer 292 might detect a wind speed and send asignal indicative of the wind speed to controller 290. Controller 290may determine how much voltage might be applied to the actuators 286 toset the size and/or shape of each of the flow passages 735, the sizeand/or shape of each of the flow passages 737, the size and/or shape ofnozzle 144, and/or the size and/or shape of nozzle 544 in order toproduce a particular velocity at outlet 142 or at the outlet of duct 170for the detected wind speed.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a wind-energy conversion system 900 having aturbine-intake tower 910 with an intake assembly 943 at the top ofturbine-intake tower 910. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of wind-energyconversion system 900, and FIG. 10 is a cut-away perspective view ofwind-energy conversion system 900. Common numbering is used in FIG. 3and FIGS. 9-10 to identify components common to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 9-10.The common components may be as discussed above in conjunction with FIG.3.

For some embodiments, turbine-intake tower 910 may be substantially thesame as (e.g., the same as) turbine-intake tower 310, described above inconjunction with FIG. 3, except that a plurality of shutters 930 of anenclosure 920 may replace vanes 330 so that intake assembly 943 includesenclosure 920, and thus shutters 930, nozzle 144, and deflector 365. Forexample, enclosure 920 may cover an inlet to flow passage 370 that isadjacent to an outer edge of nozzle 144. That is, enclosure 920 maycover deflector 365 and the inlet 140 to nozzle 144.

Each shutter 930 may be between a cover 925 of enclosure 920 and anupper portion of nozzle 144. Each shutter 930 may be pivotally coupledto cover 925 of enclosure 920 and the upper portion of nozzle 144. Forexample, each shutter 930 may be pivotally coupled to cover 925 and to aflange 935, that may extend from nozzle 144, so that the respectiveshutter 930 can pivot about a substantially vertical (e.g., a vertical)pivot axis) 940, e.g., that may be substantially parallel to (e.g.,parallel to) central longitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144.

Deflector 365 may extend downward into the interior of nozzle 144 fromcover 925. For example, deflector 365 converges (tapers) inwardly from asidewall of enclosure 920 to substantially a point at centrallongitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144, as indicated by reference number367.

When shutters 930 are closed they form the sidewall of enclosure 920 andthus of intake assembly 943. An exterior surface 945 of each shutter 930may form a portion of an exterior surface of the sidewall of enclosure920. An interior surface 950 of each shutter 930 may form a portion ofan interior surface of the sidewall of enclosure 920.

Each shutter 930 may open, e.g., by pivoting about its pivot axis 940,in response to receiving wind at (e.g., against) its exterior surface945. Opening shutters 930 produces substantially vertical (e.g.,vertical) openings 955 between successively adjacent open shutters 930,as shown in FIG. 9, in the sidewall of enclosure 920. The wind may enterthe interior of enclosure 920 through openings 955.

Shutters 930 may be configured so that a portion of the shutters 930remain closed when the wind that enters the interior of enclosure 920through open shutters 930 flows against the interior surfaces 950 of theclosed shutters 930. For some embodiments, shutters 930 may be biased ina closed position, e.g., by a torsional spring or the like, and may beopened in response to receiving wind against the exterior surface 945thereof.

The interior of enclosure 920 is a portion of the interior of intakeassembly 943, meaning that the openings 955 between successivelyadjacent open shutters 930 are openings to intake assembly 943.Enclosure 920 and its shutters 930 allow the wind to enter intakeassembly 943 from substantially any prevailing wind direction. Forexample, wind may enter intake assembly 943 at substantially 360 degrees(e.g., at 360 degrees) around intake assembly 943. This avoids the needfor turning an inlet of a wind-energy conversion system or a turbine ofa wind-energy conversion system into the wind, e.g., thereby eliminatinga need for a yaw system.

During operation, a portion of shutters 930, e.g., the shutters 930whose outer surfaces 945 are facing the wind, open (e.g. pivot open) inresponse to the wind flowing against the outer surfaces 945 of thoseshutters 930. However, the shutters 920 whose exterior surfaces 945 faceaway from the wind remain closed. For example, this allows enclosure 920to trap substantially all of the wind that enters enclosure 920.

After entering enclosure 920, a portion of the wind may flow directlyinto deflector 365 and may be deflected into flow passage 370, asdescribed above in conjunction with FIG. 3 and as shown in FIG. 10.Another portion of the wind may flow past deflector 365 and may flowagainst the interior surfaces 950 of the closed shutters 930. The closedshutters 930 may then direct (e.g., deflect) that portion of the windinto flow passage 370. That is, a portion of the wind may flow aroundthe interior perimeter (e.g., circumference) of enclosure 920 beforeentering flow passage 370. For example, a portion of the wind directedinto flow passage 370 by the closed shutters 930 may flow substantiallycircumferentially (e.g., circumferentially) around the interiorcircumference of enclosure 920 before entering flow passage 370, asindicated by dashed lines 958 in FIGS. 9 and 10.

The wind flows through flow passage 370 and into duct 170, as describedabove in conjunction with FIG. 3. After the wind is received by duct170, the wind may proceed to turbine 120, as described above inconjunction with FIG. 1. Note that the wind may be further acceleratedby the converging flow passage 372 of nozzle 144 that extendssubstantially vertically below (e.g., vertically below) deflector 365before entering duct 170, as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 3.

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate a wind-energy conversion system 1100 having aturbine-intake tower 1110 with an intake assembly 1143 at the top ofturbine-intake tower 1110. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of wind-energyconversion system 1100, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the region1200 in FIG. 11. Common numbering is used in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 11-12 toidentify components common to FIG. 5 and FIGS. 11-12. The commoncomponents may be as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 5.

For some embodiments, intake assembly 1143 of turbine-intake tower 1110may be substantially the same as (e.g., the same as) the intake assembly543 of turbine-intake tower 510, described above in conjunction withFIG. 5, except that a scoop 1120 may be movably (e.g., rotatably)coupled to nozzle 544, and/or a scoop 1121 may be between and movably(e.g., rotatably) coupled to nozzles 144 and 544. For example, at leastone of scoop 1120 and scoop 1121 may be added to the intake assembly 543of FIG. 5 to form the intake assembly 1143 of turbine-intake tower 1110.In other words, for some embodiments, scoop 1120 may be movably coupledto nozzle 544 adjacent to inlet 540 of nozzle 544, and/or scoop 1121 maybe between and movably coupled to nozzles 144 and 544. For example,scoop 1120 may be adjacent to an outermost edge of nozzle 544, and/orscoop 1121 may be adjacent to the outermost edge of nozzle 544 and anoutermost edge of nozzle 144.

A bottom edge 1122 of scoop 1120 may move over (e.g., ride on) rollers1125, e.g., circumferentially distributed around an upper surface of aflange 1128 that may extend from nozzle 544. For example, rollers 1125may define a circumferential path, e.g., adjacent to the outermost edgeof nozzle 544 and adjacent to the inlet 540 of nozzle 544, about whichscoop 1120 travels. In other words, scoop 1120 is confined to travelabout that path.

Scoop 1120 may cover a portion of the inlet 540 to nozzle 544. For someembodiments, scoop 1120 may be a portion of a substantially sphericalshell.

Scoop 1121 may cover a portion of inlet 560 that extends around theperimeter (e.g., circumference) of intake assembly 1143. Note that asdescribed above in conjunction with FIG. 5, inlet 560 is the inlet tothe flow passage 570 between inner surface 147 of nozzle 144 andexterior surface 553 of nozzle 544. For some embodiments, scoop 1121 maybe a portion of a substantially cylindrical shell.

A top edge 1152 of scoop 1121 may ride on rollers 1155, e.g.,circumferentially distributed around a lower surface of flange 1128. Abottom edge 1157 of scoop 1121 may ride on rollers 1160, e.g.,circumferentially distributed around an upper surface of a flange 1165that may extend from nozzle 144. For example, rollers 1155 may define acircumferential path, e.g., adjacent to the outermost edge of nozzle544, and rollers 1160 may define a circumferential path, e.g., adjacentto the outermost edge of nozzle 144, where scoop 1121 is confined totravel about these paths.

Wind vane 294 may be coupled to an outer surface of scoop 1120. Windvane 294 catches the wind and rotates scoop 1120 relative to nozzles 144and 544 so that an inlet 1130 of scoop 1120 is directed (e.g., faces)into the wind. For some embodiments, scoop 1120 may be coupled to scoop1121 by one or more couplers 1167 so that when wind vane 294 rotatesscoop 1120, scoop 1121 rotates concurrently with scoop 1120 relative tonozzles 144 and 544, and an interior surface (e.g., a concave interiorsurface) of scoop 1121 is directed (e.g., faces) into the wind.

During operation, the wind received at wind vane 294 causes wind vane294 to rotate scoop 1120 so that inlet 1130 of scoop 1120 faces into thewind. Rotating scoop 1120 may also rotate scoop 1121 concurrently withscoop 1120 so that the interior surface of scoop 1121 faces into thewind. The wind then flows through inlet 1130 of scoop 1120 and isdeflected by an interior surface 1132 of scoop 1120 into converging flowpassage 562 of nozzle 544.

The wind may also enter inlet 560. A portion of the wind enteringthrough inlet 560 may be deflected into flow passage 570 by exteriorsurface 553 of nozzle 544. Another portion of the wind entering throughinlet 560 may flow past exterior surface 553 and may flow against theinterior surface of scoop 1121. The interior surface of scoop 1121 maythen direct (e.g., deflect) that portion of the wind into flow passage570.

The wind then flows through flow passages 562 and 570 and into duct 170,as shown in FIG. 5 and as described above in conjunction with FIG. 5.After the wind is received by duct 170, the wind may proceed to turbine120, as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. Note that the windmay be further accelerated by the converging flow passage 572 of nozzle144 (FIG. 5) that extends substantially vertically below (e.g.,vertically below) outlet 564 of nozzle 544 before entering duct 170, asdiscussed above in conjunction with FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view (cross-hatching omitted for clarity)of a wind-energy conversion system 1300 having a turbine-intake tower1310 with an intake assembly 1343 at the top of turbine-intake tower1310. Common numbering is used in FIG. 3 and FIG. 13 to identifycomponents common to FIG. 3 and FIG. 13. The common components may be asdiscussed above in conjunction with FIG. 3.

For some embodiments, intake assembly 1343 of turbine-intake tower 1310may be substantially the same as (e.g., the same as) the intake assembly343 of turbine-intake tower 310, described above in conjunction withFIG. 3, except that the object (e.g., the deflector 365) that extendsinto nozzle 144 is movable in response to the wind flowing against(e.g., the wind being received at) deflector 365. That is, deflector 365may be configured to move within nozzle 144. For example, deflector 365may be movably coupled within (e.g., to a cover 1350 of) intake assembly1343. Note that intake assembly 1343 may include nozzle 144 and themovable deflector 356.

For some embodiments, deflector 365 may be pivotally coupled withinintake assembly 1343, e.g., to cover 1350. For example, a ball 1360 maybe attached to an upper surface of deflector 365 substantially at thecenter of (e.g., at the center of) deflector 365. Ball 1360 may bemovably (e.g., slidably) coupled within a socket (not shown) that may becoupled within intake assembly 1343, e.g., to cover 1350, substantiallyat the center of (e.g., at the center of) intake assembly 1343, e.g.,cover 1350, to form a ball-and-socket joint. Deflector 365 may pivotabout substantially a point, e.g., ball 1360, in response to the windblowing against deflector 365.

For other embodiments, the socket may be movably (e.g., rollably)coupled within intake assembly 1343. The socket may be coupled torollers 1365 that may move (e.g., ride) within a channel 1370, such as atrack, formed in intake assembly 1343.

For some embodiments, the channel 1370 may be in an object 1372 that maybe pivotally coupled within intake assembly 1343, e.g., to cover 1350,for pivoting about central longitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144. As such,channel 1370 can pivot about central longitudinal axis 156. Allowingchannel 1370 to pivot acts to orient channel 1370 in a directionsubstantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to the direction of the wind inresponse to the wind being received at (blowing against deflector 365).Note object 1372 and channel 1370 can pivot about central longitudinalaxis 156 to be aligned with substantially any diameter of nozzle 144.For example, object 1372 and channel 1370 may be configured to by 360degrees about central longitudinal axis 156.

The socket may then move (e.g., by translation) in the direction ofchannel 1370, which is substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to thedirection of the wind in response to the wind blowing against deflector365. For example, the socket moves as rollers 1365 move in channel 1370.As such, channel 1370 guides rollers, and thus the socket, along a paththat is substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to the direction of thewind.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view (cross-hatching omitted for clarity)showing deflector 365 moving by translation within intake assembly 1343in response to the wind flowing against deflector 365. For example, thesocket moves (e.g., translates) along the direction of channel 1370after channel 1370 has pivoted to a direction substantially parallel tothe wind. Note that the central longitudinal axis 156′ of deflector 365is displaced from the central longitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144, andis thus no longer coincident (e.g., collinear) with the centrallongitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144, as a result of the translation.However, the central longitudinal axis 156′ of deflector 365 may remainsubstantially parallel to (e.g., parallel to) the central longitudinalaxis 156 of nozzle 144 as a result of the translation. The translationcauses a portion of the flow passage 370 to be larger on the side ofintake assembly 1343 facing the wind, allowing more of the wind to flowinto that portion of flow passage 370 than would otherwise occur ifdeflector 365 was not able to move in response to the wind.

The wind is deflected by deflector 365 into flow passage 370 andsubsequently flows through flow passage 370 and into duct 170, asdescribed above in conjunction with FIG. 3. After the wind is receivedby duct 170, the wind may proceed to turbine 120 as described above inconjunction with FIG. 1. Note that the wind may be further acceleratedby the converging flow passage 372 of nozzle 144 that extendssubstantially vertically below (e.g., vertically below) deflector 365before entering duct 170, as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 3.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view (cross-hatching omitted for clarity)showing deflector 365 moving in rotation, such as pivoting, aboutsubstantially a point, such as ball 1360, in response to the windflowing against deflector 365. For example, the central longitudinalaxis 156′ of deflector 365 may be rotated (e.g. pivoted) from thecentral longitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144 as a result of the rotation,and is thus no longer coincident (e.g., collinear) with the centrallongitudinal axis 156 of nozzle 144. The rotation causes a portion ofthe flow passage 370 to be larger on the side of intake assembly 1343facing the wind, allowing more of the wind to flow into that portion offlow passage 370 than would otherwise occur if deflector 365 was notable to move in response to the wind.

The wind is deflected by deflector 365 into flow passage 370 andsubsequently flows through flow passage 370 and into duct 170, asdescribed above in conjunction with FIG. 3. After the wind is receivedby duct 170, the wind may proceed to turbine 120 as described above inconjunction with FIG. 1.

Note that deflector 365 may be configured to move by translation and/orrotation. For embodiments where deflector 365 is configured to move inboth translation and rotation, the movement of deflector 365 in responseto the wind flowing against deflector 365 may be a combination of thetranslation in FIG. 14 and the rotation (e.g., pivoting) in FIG. 15. Forexample, the rotation and translation may occur substantiallyconcurrently (e.g., concurrently).

Configuring deflector 365 to move by translation and/or rotation inresponse to receiving the wind at (e.g., against) deflector 365 may bethought of configuring intake assembly 1343 to adjust the size and/orshape of flow passage 370 based on (e.g., in response to) the directionof the wind.

For some embodiments, the outlets of two or more of any of theturbine-intake towers disclosed herein may be coupled together and maybe sent to a single turbine 120 coupled to a single generator 130, e.g.,as shown in FIG. 16 for a wind energy conversion system 1600, e.g.,including two turbine-intake towers 310. For example, the outlet ducts174 of turbine-intake towers 310 may be coupled to a single outlet 1642directed at turbine 120. For some embodiments, the outlets of at leasttwo of the turbine-intake towers 110, 210, 310, 510, 710, 910, 1110, and1310 may be coupled together.

Although the examples shown in the figures illustrate nozzles, such asnozzles 144 and 544, and ducts, such as duct 170, as having flowpassages with circular cross-sections, the nozzles and ducts disclosedherein may have flow passages with substantially any cross-sectionalshape, such as polygonal, e.g., square, rectangular, or any otherpolygon, elliptical, oval, etc. Moreover, the deflector 365 may havesubstantially any cross-sectional shape, such as polygonal, e.g.,square, rectangular, or any other polygon, elliptical, oval, circular,etc.

For some embodiments, a method of delivering wind to a turbine includesaccelerating the wind in a flow passage between a substantially verticalconverging nozzle and an object that extends into the nozzle, anddirecting the accelerated wind onto blades of the turbine.

In the method, accelerating the wind in the flow passage may includeturning the wind toward a vertical downward direction as the windaccelerates. The method may include adjusting a size and/or shape of theflow passage based on a wind speed and/or a wind direction.

In the method, accelerating the wind in the flow passage between thevertical converging nozzle and the object may include moving the objectin response to receiving the wind against the object, where moving theobject changes the size and/or shape of the flow passage.

The method may include, after accelerating the wind in the flow passageand before directing the accelerated wind onto the blades of theturbine, further accelerating the wind in a portion of the nozzle thatextends substantially vertically below the object.

The substantially vertical converging nozzle may be a substantiallyvertical converging first nozzle and the object may be a substantiallyvertical converging second nozzle. The method may include acceleratingthe wind through the second nozzle while accelerating the wind in theflow passage between the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

The method may include, before directing the accelerated wind onto theblades of the turbine: merging the accelerated wind from the flowpassage between the first nozzle and the second nozzle with theaccelerated wind from the second nozzle in a portion of the first nozzlethat extends substantially vertically below the second nozzle to producea substantially single wind-flow in the portion of the first nozzle thatextends substantially vertically below the second nozzle, andaccelerating the substantially single wind-flow thus produced in theportion of the first nozzle that extends substantially vertically belowthe second nozzle.

The method may include adjusting a size and/or shape of the flow passagebetween the first nozzle and the second nozzle and/or a size and/orshape of the second nozzle based on a wind speed.

In the method, accelerating the wind in the flow passage between thefirst nozzle and the second nozzle may include accelerating the wind ineach of a plurality of converging flow passages defined by a pluralityof vanes within the flow passage between the first nozzle and the secondnozzle and/or accelerating the wind through the second nozzle comprisesaccelerating the wind in each of a plurality of converging flow passagesdefined by a plurality of vanes within the second nozzle.

CONCLUSION

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described hereinit is manifestly intended that the scope of the claimed subject matterbe limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

1. An intake assembly for a wind-energy conversion system, comprising: asubstantially vertical converging nozzle; an object extending into thenozzle; and a converging flow passage between the object and the nozzle.2. The intake assembly of claim 1, wherein the intake assembly isconfigured to allow wind to enter the flow passage from substantiallyany direction.
 3. The intake assembly of claim 1, wherein the intakeassembly is located at a top of a substantially vertical support columnof the wind-energy conversion system and a turbine of the wind-energyconversion system that is fluidly coupled to the intake assembly by aduct is located adjacent to a base of the support column.
 4. The intakeassembly of claim 1, wherein the flow passage is a first flow passage,and further comprising: a plurality of vanes between the object and thenozzle; and a plurality of second flow passages, wherein each secondflow passage is between adjacent vanes; wherein the plurality of secondflow passages open into the first flow passage.
 5. The intake assemblyof claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical converging nozzle is asubstantially vertical converging first nozzle and the object is asubstantially vertical converging second nozzle.
 6. The intake assemblyof claim 1, further comprising: one or more actuators coupled to atleast one of the object and the nozzle; and a controller coupled to theone or more actuators coupled to the at least one of the object and thenozzle; wherein the controller is configured to send signals to the oneor more actuators coupled to the at least one of the object and thenozzle based on a wind speed.
 7. The intake assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising an enclosure that covers an inlet to the flow passage, theenclosure having a plurality of shutters, wherein each shutter isconfigured to open in response to receiving wind against that shutter.8. The intake assembly of claim 1, wherein the object is configured tomove within the intake assembly.
 9. A wind-energy conversion system,comprising: an intake assembly located at a top of the wind-energyconversion system, the intake assembly comprising: a substantiallyvertical first converging nozzle; and a substantially vertical secondconverging nozzle substantially coaxial with first nozzle; wherein aninlet of first nozzle is at a vertical level above an inlet of thesecond nozzle.
 10. The wind-energy conversion system of claim 9, furthercomprising a first scoop movably coupled to the first nozzle and/or asecond scoop between and movably coupled to the first and secondnozzles.
 11. The wind-energy conversion system of claim 9, furthercomprising a converging flow passage between the first nozzle and thesecond nozzle.
 12. The wind-energy conversion system of claim 9, furthercomprising a plurality of vanes extending into an interior of at leastone of the first nozzle and the second nozzle, wherein a converging flowpassage is between each of adjacent vanes of the plurality of vanesextending into the at least one of the first nozzle and the secondnozzle.
 13. The wind-energy conversion system of claim 12, furthercomprising: one or more actuators coupled to at least one of the firstnozzle, the second nozzle, and the plurality of vanes extending into theat least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle; and a controllerelectrically coupled to the one or more actuators coupled to the atleast one of the first nozzle, the second nozzle, and the plurality ofvanes extending into the at least one of the first nozzle and the secondnozzle; wherein the controller is configured to send signals to the oneor more actuators coupled to the at least one of the first nozzle, thesecond nozzle, and the plurality of vanes extending into the at leastone of the first nozzle and the second nozzle based on a wind speed. 14.A method of delivering wind to a turbine, comprising: accelerating thewind in a flow passage between a substantially vertical convergingnozzle and an object that extends into the nozzle; and directing theaccelerated wind onto blades of the turbine.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein accelerating the wind in the flow passage further comprisesturning the wind toward a vertical downward direction as the windaccelerates.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising adjusting asize and/or shape of the flow passage based on a wind speed and/or awind direction.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein accelerating thewind in the flow passage between the vertical converging nozzle and theobject comprises moving the object in response to receiving the windagainst the object, wherein moving the object changes the size and/orshape of the flow passage.
 18. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising after accelerating the wind in the flow passage and beforedirecting the accelerated wind onto the blades of the turbine, furtheraccelerating the wind in a portion of the nozzle that extendssubstantially vertically below the object.
 19. The method of claim 14,wherein the substantially vertical converging nozzle is a substantiallyvertical converging first nozzle and the object is a substantiallyvertical converging second nozzle, and further comprising acceleratingthe wind through the second nozzle while accelerating the wind in theflow passage between the first nozzle and the second nozzle.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising, before directing the acceleratedwind onto the blades of the turbine: merging the accelerated wind fromthe flow passage between the first nozzle and the second nozzle with theaccelerated wind from the second nozzle in a portion of the first nozzlethat extends substantially vertically below the second nozzle to producea substantially single wind-flow in the portion of the first nozzle thatextends substantially vertically below the second nozzle; andaccelerating the substantially the single wind-flow thus produced in theportion of the first nozzle that extends substantially vertically belowthe second nozzle.